We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Wykesha King a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Wykesha , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
Stepping into the shoes of the legendary icon Hattie McDaniel to revive her life, legacy, and journey toward becoming the first Black person to win an Oscar in the film The Dichotomy of Hattie McDaniel has been one of the most significant projects of my career. Many may not recognize her name—and I was in that same position until I met Vincent Victoria, the writer, director, and producer of the film. My collaboration with Vincent on several stage productions first introduced me to Hattie through his works, Hattie’s Big Night and Just Lena. These performances provided my first insight into her remarkable life. Hattie McDaniel was a pioneer, yet her story is frequently overshadowed by the typecast roles she endured and the racial barriers she confronted.
Through Vincent’s profound storytelling and my own exploration of her life, I uncovered a woman of immense talent, strength, and resilience. Hattie’s path from vaudeville performer to Academy Award winner was filled with obstacles, yet her spirit remained unbroken. Bringing her story to life on screen was both a privilege and a heavy responsibility.
This project allowed me to honor a trailblazer while shedding light on the struggles and victories of Black women in Hollywood. It provided an opportunity to educate audiences about a frequently neglected chapter in history and to inspire others with Hattie’s lasting legacy. Working on this film enhanced my appreciation for those who forged the path ahead and reinforced the necessity of sharing diverse stories that reflect the rich tapestry of our collective history—American history.
My dedication to capturing Hattie’s essence was deeply rewarded, as I am honored to have won Best Actress for this portrayal at both the San Diego Black Film Festival and the BIFA Awards in Houston, Texas.
The award-winning film, The Dichotomy of Hattie McDaniel, can be viewed on the Roku app Uplift TV or by downloading the Uplift TV app on Apple app store or Google Play. You can find the film under the “Our Collections” tab by scrolling down to Vincent Victoria Presents.
Source: IOS (iPhone/Apple) https://share.google/LZrB6OjwlbkTA7EDT
Source: Android/Google Play https://share.google/MgoEiHdlwOhLfWydM
Wykesha , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’ve always known that I was a creative, whimsical, being who wanted to be an actress, singer, teacher AND a nurse! (Yes, all of that) However, somewhere down the line becoming an actor and singer became buried in the back of my mind. I had convinced myself that my sole purpose was to be the supporter of others dreams forgoing my own. No matter how big their dreams were I encouraged it! I had become complacent with life until my 33rd birthday. As life would have it, a series of events left me feeling isolated and alone. I was left with asking myself this one question: “Did I want to live life or just exist?
I didn’t know what I wanted to do or what my purpose was supposed to be BUT I was at the point where I wanted to try to find out.
Over the next few years I intentionally looked for activities and events to participate in that took me out of my comfort zone. Through those experiences I met people built confidence, and new relationships and learned more about myself.
With each experience I realized more and more that through meeting people and having those experiences my purpose was becoming more clear. Instead of just letting life happen I started to become an active participant. Learning more about myself, healing my traumas building confidence and overcoming fear.
On my journey, I moved to Houston, became a published plus-sized runway model, and landed a role in a touring play. It wasn’t until I entered a pageant and won the national title that my purpose was clear. My platform, I HEART Life (Helping to Encourage Anyone to Remain Triumphant) has since evolved into my life’s mission and gave birth to my business, GEM TIME Coaching & Consulting. Here i help others to “Lose the BUT and Drop the WAIT”.™
Above all, I want potential clients, followers, and supporters to understand that my work is fueled by passion and a sincere wish to create a positive impact.
As a multidisciplinary artist, wellness advocate, and yoga instructor, I am committed to using my diverse skills and talents to inspire others. I believe that it’s never too late to pursue your passions and achieve what you truly desire in life.
GEM TIME Coaching & Consulting is committed to empowering individuals to unlock their full potential and lead fulfilling lives. Our services guide clients through self-discovery, personal growth, and overcoming life’s challenges. In addition to our core offerings, we incorporate wellness solutions through our partner brand, YOUnitea® Natural Teas and Remedies, to further enhance client well-being.
At GEM TIME Coaching & Consulting, we believe in the transformative power of self-discovery and personal growth. Our mission is to help you “Lose the BUT and Drop the WAIT,”™ enabling you to achieve your dreams and live a triumphant life.
We offer a range of sessions to accommodate diverse needs and preferences: individual, group, and corporate sessions.
Our popular offerings are our meditate sip and paint classes, yoga in the park, and our couples yoga classes.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Resilience. My life is a testament to that word, and I have plenty of stories to share. However, this particular experience is the one that propelled me into entrepreneurship. Picture it: The year is 2021. The world had ground to a halt due to the global pandemic. After a year of lockdowns, we were all still adapting to remote work and social distancing. At the time, I was struggling.
I was working as a case manager—a job I had once enjoyed—but tension with my supervisor had created an increasingly uncomfortable environment. Before the lockdown, I had finally found my stride in the acting and theater communities. I loved it. I would perform on the weekends and dread the office on Monday. I told myself that was “balance,” but something had been tugging at me for a long time. I knew what it was, but I wasn’t ready. I was afraid.
Fear had me in a chokehold—fear of the unknown and fear of how I would sustain my life. Simply put: How was I going to pay my bills? Stress and anxiety chased me like a rabid dog. To make matters worse, the pandemic took away my primary coping mechanism—my hot yoga studio had closed. Between the uncertainty of the world and the feeling of being boxed in, the toll was heavy. I began having panic attacks that terrified me. Work-life balance became impossible. Something had to give.
I finally took a leave of absence. On a Thursday afternoon, while sitting with my therapist, I finally vocalized my fear of leaving my job and the uncertainty of what would come next. The moment I uttered those words into the atmosphere, the winds of change blew in with an artistic flair and whispered, “I’m here.”
Less than 24 hours later, I was confronted with my exact fear. Friday afternoon, HR called. You can guess how it went. Without getting into the thick of it, I was told I was being terminated, though they allowed me to resign. I shed a waterfall of tears for fifteen minutes, then I packed up my equipment. By 5:00 PM, that chapter was closed. Ready or not, a new one was beginning. I told myself, “I don’t know how… but it will work out.”
And it did—better than I could have ever imagined.
You might be wondering why they let me go. The answer is simple: I was let go for doing what I love. I was set to perform in a show shortly after my scheduled return-to-work date, and the conflict was the final straw. I didn’t fight the decision. I knew that termination was the push I needed to finally look fear in the face and step into my own.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
“For me, it’s freedom and connection. It’s the liberty to live exactly how I want—to create a world and share it without feeling boxed in. There is something profound about releasing your art into the world for others to consume; it allows us to connect to the shared human experience and, ultimately, to each other. In that connection, I’ve found my purpose.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/wyrenaeking
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wyrenaeking?igsh=a3UxYzIzc3FlY2p3
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wyrenae.king
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wyrenaeking
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/younitea__?igsh=YTVobm5od2xmN2sz
Image Credits
BraveRoots Films and photography, Pin Lim / Forest Photography, Rudy Mui Photography, Hampton Lee Studios, Wy Renae King